却说曹操见了衣带诏，与众谋士商议，欲废却献帝，更择有德者立之。
The last chapter closed with the discovery of the "girdle" decree and the assembly of Cao Cao's advisers to consider the deposition of Emperor Xian.
程昱谏曰：“明公所以能威震四方，号令天下者，以奉汉家名号故也，今诸侯未平，遽行废立之事，必起兵端矣。”
Cheng Yu spoke strongly against this, saying, "Illustrious Sir, the means by which you impress the world and direct the government is the command of the House of Han.
In these times of turmoil and rivalry among the nobles, such a step as the deposition of the ruler will certainly bring about civil war and is much to be deprecated."
操乃止。
After reflection Cao Cao abandoned the project.
只将董承等五人，并其全家老小，押送各门处斩。
But Dong Cheng's plot was not to go unpunished.
All five of the conspirators with every member of their households, ^+1seven hundred at least, were taken and put to death at one or another of the gates of the city.
城中官民见者，无不下泪。
The people wept at such merciless and wholesale slaughter.
后人有诗叹董承曰：“密诏传衣带，天言出禁门。
[hip, hip, hip]A secret decree in a girdle sewn, In red blood written, the Emperor's own,
当年曾救驾，此日更承恩。
To the staunch and faithful Dong Cheng addressed,Who had saved him once when enemies pressed.
操谕监宫官曰：“今后但有外戚宗族，不奉吾旨，辄入宫门者，斩，守御不严，与同罪。”
When leaving the Palace, Cao Cao gave strict orders to the keepers, saying "Anyone of the imperial relatives by marriage who enter the Palace will be put to death, and the guards will share the same punishment for lack of zeal."
又拨心腹人三千充御林军，令曹洪统领，以为防察。
To make more sure he appointed three thousand Imperial Guards from his own troops and appointed Cao Hong to the command.
操谓程昱曰：“今董承等虽诛，尚有马腾、刘备，亦在此数，不可不除。”
Then said Cao Cao to his counselor Cheng Yu, "The conspirators in the capital have been removed, it is true, but there are yet two others, Ma Teng and Liu Bei.
These must not be left."
昱曰：“马腾屯军西凉，未可轻取；但当以书慰劳，勿使生疑，诱入京师，图之可也。
Cheng Yu replied, "Ma Teng is strong in the west and would not be easily captured.
He might be enticed to the capital by suave words and kindly praises, when he would be at your mercy.
若我一旦东征，刘备势必求救于绍。
Any attempt on the east will send Liu Bei to Yuan Shao for help,
绍乘虚来袭，何以当之？”
and Yuan Shao will come here at once.Then what will you do?”
正议间，郭嘉自外而入。
As they were discussing these things, Guo Jia came in,
操问曰：“吾欲东征刘备，奈有袁绍之忧，如何？”
and Cao Cao suddenly referred the matter to him. "If I attack Liu Bei, then Yuan Shao is to be feared.
What do you think of it?”
嘉曰：“绍性迟而多疑，其谋士各相妒忌，不足忧也。
Guo Jia said, "Yuan Shao by nature is dilatory and hesitating, and his various advisers are jealous of each other.
He is not to be feared.
刘备新整军兵，众心未服，丞相引兵东征，一战可定矣。”
Liu Bei is getting together a new army and has not yet won their hearts.
You could settle the east in one battle."
细作探知，报入徐州。
Scouts took the news of these preparations to Xuzhou.
孙乾先往下邳报知关公，随至小沛报知玄德，玄德与孙乾计议曰：“此必求救于袁绍，方可解危。”
Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to tell Guan Yu and then went to Xiaopei to tell Liu Bei.
The two discussed the position and decided that help must be sought.
绍曰：“吾生五子，惟最幼者极快吾意；今患疥疮，命已垂绝。
"I have three sons, but only the youngest is clever enough to understand my ideas.
Now he is suffering from scabies which places his life in jeopardy.
吾有何心更论他事乎？”
Think you that I have any heart to talk over any other affairs?”
丰曰：“今曹操东征刘玄德，许昌空虚，若以义兵乘虚而入，上可以保天子，下可以救万民。
"But," said Tian Feng, "the present combination of circumstances is unparalleled.
Cao Cao is going to attack the east, and Xuchang will be empty.
You can enter it with a few volunteers and so perform good service to the Emperor and save the people from sorrow.
绍曰：“吾亦知此最好，奈我心中恍惚，恐有不利。”
"I know the chance is excellent, but I am worried and distressed and fear failure."
遂决意不肯发兵，乃谓孙乾曰：“汝回见玄德，可言其故。
Thus it became evident that no army would be dispatched.
In confirmation of this, Yuan Shao said to Sun Qian, "Go home and tell Liu Bei the real reason,